Machine gun charger



Sept, 1s, 1945;

H. c G'RAN-r, JR ETAL` 2,384,834

MACHINE GUN CHARGER Filed April 1o, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 sept. 18, '1945.

H. c. GRANT, JR ETAL MACHINE IGUN CHARGER 2 Shetsv-Sheet 2 Filed April l0, 1942 Patented Sept. 18, 1945 UNITED s'rATEs PATENT vlorries MACHINE GUN 'CHARGER Application April 10, 1942,.Serial No.-438,412

(o1. Assai) 17 Claims.

,'-Ihe .present invention relates -to automatic machine guns and the like, and more particularly to improved gun chargers for vcharging l'or recocki-ng the charging mechanism of the gun.

ln automatic machine guns, for example, of the Browning type, vthe .firing pin may be released either mechanically or electrically to fire a .cartridge in .the barrel l.or breech of :the gun. The recoil A.caused bythe explosion of the cartridge causes a .bolt .mechanism or charging mechanism to Ybe moved backward or retracted. Upon `backward movement, the charging meollanism =eiects withdrawal of the case of the fired cartridge and moves Va cartridge belt to present asucceeding-cartridgeadapted to be fed into the breech. After .the Acharging mechanism has been .fully retracted, .it v.is .returned or moved forwardly .by .a :strong springorthe like. In Athe .course of its .return stroke the charging mechanism ejects the redeartridgecaseand .feeds the succeeding cartridge into the .breech or barrel.

While the ring .pin is released, the gun .fires when .the charging .mechanism returns toits ex- .treme forward position. -If no Ytrouble develops, the cycle of operation of the charging mechanism may be repeated at a rate of between about `400 and .m .times .per minute.

, Preferably, machine guns .of .the vforegoing .type are provided with .a device known as a gun .charger .which is .adapted to retract the charging mechanism, in the `event the charging mecha- .nism is .-not retracted \or` moved backward in its normal manner during the ring of the .gu-n. IEhe `gun .charger may Ycomprise Va Vpneumatically operated ram .or the like adapted .to retract and recock the .charging mechanism. and means, such as .a strong spring, for returning .the ram to its .position .after operation thereof.

, In .connection with such gun chargers, it has -been found that the charging mechanism has a tendency to follow the ram duri-ng. .its return stroke, -whereby .the charging mechanism is re- .tardedhy .the ram and .doesnot develop suicient inertia .to move the .cartridge belt one notch or step .and .effect insertion .of a succeeding cartridge into the breech of the gun.

An .object .of .the present invention is to provide .an improved g-un .charging or recocking de- .vice .which .is not subject `to .the 4foregoing diiii- .culties ing influenced .by any ,restraining forces.

` 1. Another k.object is to ,provide 4a ,gun charger which permits :thefcharging `:mechanism to be returned -to .its forward .position with suicient momentum to move athe cartridge belt, eject an empty cartridge :.case', and feed .a successive cartridge. 'l Y .Another object .is to cause the gun Acharger to move the charging mechanism toward its retracted position until suitable means -for permitting the charging mechanism to snap forward have been rendered -eifective `Another object is -to-accomplish the foregoing objects .in .a .-si-mple fand inexpensive manner, and Without .complicatingvthe manufacture, :assembly or :operationof the fgun charger. f

`A further object consists inthe combination, .constructionand arrangements of parts, whereby the foregoing objects are accomplished.

Otherand-furtherzobjects of vthe invention will beobvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodimentabout to be described, vor Will be indicated-inthe appended claims, and variousadvan-tages not referred to :herein vwill `occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the 'invention .in practice.

.A preferredembodi-ment .of the invention :has been chosen for purposes .of .illustration and description :and is .shown in the accompanying drawings, forming .a part of the specification, wherein.:

Figure .1 .is a diagrammatic .side View of a machine ,gun having a gun charger attached thereto. .Figure 2 :is .a .schematic view ofthe vessential ,operating ,parts of the charger, illustrating an `embodiment .of the invention, with vthe parts shownin Aset or .unoperated position., l

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2, With the guncharger shown during its Vretracting or re- .cocking operation. n

...Figure4 .isa View .similar to Figures 2 and 3, with vthe .gun lcharger and charging mechanism .in fully retracted position.-

.Inaccordance with the invention', it has been foundthat .the foregoing objects may be accom- .plished .by .providing a,-gun.charger, or the like, having means, such -asfa ram, adapted to retract `the.charging .mechanismvof -a machine gun, and hav-ing means adapted to ,preventfthe ram from interfering with the ,charging mechanism during .the return .stroke of the charging .mechanism .toward its .forward position; whereby the charging mechanism isadapted .to snap lback and develop suiicient inertia to perform its intended functions.

In the illustrative embodiment, about to `be described, .these 'means comprise -a .deviceffor vmomechanism after the ram of the charging device has returned toward its initial position.`

Ther

ram, preferably, is operated,pneumatically` by` a.. pressure medium which is maintained effective I to urge the ram toward its'rearward'.` position until the charging mechanism has been--latchedv Referring to the drawings, and more particf ularly to Figure 1, there is shown a machine gun, for example, of the Browning type which, generally comprises a barrel assembly 8 and a bolt mechanismY or charging mechanism 9 (not shown in detail), located in a housing or casing I0. The charging mechanism is of the usual design and comprises a number of slidably movable or reciprocating parts which are adapted to be moved rearwardly or retracted by the recoil resulting from the explosion of cartridges and adapted to be moved forwardly or returned by' resilient means, such as a spring or the like. During the reciprocation of these parts, the normal operating cycle of the gun is carried out. This cycle comprises the steps of removing a cartridge from the cartridge belt and inserting it into the barrel, ring the cartridge, withdrawing the empty cartridge case from the barrel, moving the belt one notch, and ejecting the cartridge case from the housing I0. Since the construction and operation of such a charging mechanism is well known to those skilled in the art and since the charging mechanism per se does not constitute a part of the present invention, a detailed illustration and Y description thereof is not believed to be necessary.

In the event the normal operating or firing' be attached to either side of the gun casing or housing I0 and may be operatively connected to the charging mechanism by a boltl or stud I4. The stud or bolt |4 reciprocates with, and-may be partv of,y the charging mechanism, and is adapted to extend through an elongated, slot I5 in the housing and extend into the gun charger casing. n

The gun charger I2, preferably, is pneumatically operated by a fluid pressure medium, such as high pressure carbon dioxide, compressed air or any suitable gas stored in a container I6. The pressure medium is supplied to the gun charger by a, hose or tube I1 connected to a valve I8 which is adapted to be operated by suitable devices (not shown) actuated in response to the failure of the charging mechanismr to reciprocate in its normal manner. Suitable electrically Aoperated vdevices may be utilized for detecting the stoppage or slowing down of the charging mechanism, Which may be associated with the charging mechanism and the gun charger. These detecting devices may be electrically connected to a control panel, a source of electrical energy, and other electrical devices by means of a cable I9 containing electrical conductors.

In Figures 2, 3 and 4, a gun charger is shown,

as a spring 23 (Figure 2).

illustrating the essential operating parts with which the present invention is more particularly concerned. The gun charger is provided with a pneumatically operated ram or plunger mchanism 29, comprising a cylinder 2| and a piston assembly 22 slidably mounted in the cylinder. Thepiston assembly extends out .of one end of the,cylinderrandcarries a ramminglieadZfl (Figure 3) positioned for movement in the path of a rider assembly 25 connected to the reciprocating bolt or stud I4 of the charging mechanism. When the Yram 'is operated, the piston assembly moves out of the cylinder and the ramming head 24 is 4adaptedtol engage the rider assembly 25 and move it ,toward theuleft, that is, in rearward or re- "-tracted position with respect to the gun. The

piston assembly and ramming head may be moved into their initial position by resilient means such The rider assembly is provided with a latching projection 26 adapted to cooperate with the latching means to be described hereinafter.

The other end of the cylinder 2| is provided with a port 21 for admitting a pressure medium in back of the piston and for permitting the pressure medium to be exhausted. A tube or conduit 29 connects the port 21 to the valve I8, which is adaptedto control the admission ofthe pressure medium Vto the cylinder 2| and the exhaust of the medium to the atmosphere. f

The valve IB comprises an inlet 3l] for attaching the hose I1 supplying the pressure medium from the container I5, a 'valve seat 3| adjacent the inlety 39, a valve chamber 32, a port 34 in communication with the valve chamber 32 and leading tothe tube 29, and an exhaust porter vent 35 in communication with the valve chamber 32 and having an annular seat 36. A suitable valvememberg31 is slidably mounted in the valve chamber 32 for controlling the inlet and exhaust of the pressure medium. The valve member 31 has a sealing surface` 39 at one end for engaging the valve seat 3| and has a plug shaped portion 40 at the other end adapted to abut the seat 3B of the exhaust port when the surface 39 is unseated. Y The pressure medium at the inlet 30 tendsto unseat the valve member 31 and drive the portion 40 thereof against the exhaust port seat 35. In order to seat the valve member against the seatl 3| and normally close the inlet 30, a slidable stem 4| is mounted in the valve body which has, at one end, a portion 42 of reduced diameter extending through the opening of the seat 36 Without sealing the same, which urges the valve member 31 towards the seat 3|, and has, at the. other end, a head' or button portion 44 extending outwardly of the valve body and adapted to be engaged by a lever 45 for urging roller 52 is mounted adjacent the free end of the lever 59 and is adapted norm-ally to engage an upwardly facing cam surface 54 on the lever 45 adjacent the free end thereof. The spring 49 attached to levers 45 and 50 is tensioned, whereby the roller is adaptedv to urge the free end of the lever 45 downwardly and cause the toe 41 to meegaat mo-ve or maintain the valve 4operating stem' 4| Kin'its inwardly extending position.

Adjacent and lbelow thecam vsurface 54,'fand :towards '-the free vend of the'ilever`45, a notch'55 Vis provided vfor receiving'fthe roller V52 iwhenthe Vlever 45 is forced upwardly, whereby the roller 52 locks the lever 45 'in its upper position, with the toe 4l moved away from the valve operating stem 4| to permit the valve member to be moved from its seat 3| and adm-rt pressure -to the cylinder V'Upward movement vof the 'lever k245. `may be eiected by a plunger 56 of .a solenoid 351 adapted to be actuated -when :an `emergency occurs and it is desired lto operate the ram. The solenoid plunger is .adapted `to be returned `.to `its "initial or downward position by a' leaf spring S59, or the like.

In :order to move the lever x downwardly vto -close the valve, the lever 45 'is provided at "its freejend with :a :nger adapted to beengaged :by a :pin .6| mounted on one end of va ,slidably mounted bar or rod 62. The "bar 62 is `adapted 'to Abe operated, |byza spring 64, to cause Athe lever l*45 to 'close vthe valve ywhen the latch mechanism, about to tbe described, has latched the rider ias- 'sembly '24 in retracted position. The :spring 64 has one end thereof attached to zthe pin .'6.| :and has its -other end attached'to one farm 65 :of .a bell crank 66 pivoted at 161 and carrying a roller or `stud l69011 the Varm which is slidably'disposed in a slot 1D formed `linthe bar '162.

YThe -:bell Y'crank :66 serves to tension ithespring 64 to cause the sprngto :move the 'bar :6.2 vtoward `the :left and :also serves to return the bar #toward the right when the ram `is `returned to its initial position. l'n :order to `accomplish `these functions, `the other arm 1| of the bell Acrankearries a pulley or roller 1 -2 adapted toride on `a 'track or ridge 'I4 on--the top of the piston assembly L22 of the ram. When the piston assembly is moved out of the cylinder 2| vthe pulley 1.2 and :the bell crankarm are swung upwardly to rockfthe .bellerank and .cause its arm 465 to tension the vspring 64 while the roller 69 rides toward the left .in lthe slot 1.0. leased by the latehing mechanism,about to be described, the Vbar 'moves toward the .left under the inuence of the spring 64.

A:spring 15, stronger than the spring 64, has one end 1attached to the bell crank arm y65 and .is adapted to rock the .bell crank "into VAits initial nposition when the piston vassembly :is returned under the ,influence of its spring ,23, fand, wlhen .the vpulley 'I2 dropsoi the track -'|.4. 'The :roller v69 then-rides toward the right in )the :slot 5H),

engages -the -end of the slot, and pulls the bar toward lthe right Ainto its initial position.

The `ylatch mechanism for ,latching fthe charging :mecha-nismin retnactedfpositionandrmomentarily delaying its return until the piston assembly V`of the :ram has :returned towards its 'initial position comprises a xed bar orupright member 88, fa -latching 'member 8|, rand a lever 82 forfpreventing the Iloa-r 62 ffrom movingtoward the 'left-and operating the lever 45 .to :close the 1 valve i8, until the latehing lmem-ber .81 engages and latches the rider assembly .25 ofthe fcharging mechanism. i

The latching member 82| :is pivoted adjacent the Vlower end .of the uprightV member 89 :at

84, and has a projection or 1ug185 :at free end for engaging :the .'latching projection 26 of rthe rider assembly. V The lever 82 ris-pivotedadiacent the .upper end of `the member :80 .-at 86, and has a :roller 81 :at its free .end adapted to rengage Th1-1S, lwhen the bar is .re-

'the fend`89 of :the #bar 62 :andhold lthe :bar vagainst -movementtoward the Vvlefzt. The latching member 8| is connected to :the lever'82 for pivotal .movement therewith by @a link' pivoted-to the zmem ber 8| at 9|, and to the lever 82 at .92..

The :lever 182 is adapted :to be lmoved .downwardly to release :the .bar 62 and .the .latching member '18| -is Yadapted 'to he moved .downwardly Ainto 'latching positionwhen the ramming head 24 has .driven .the 'rider .assembly 25 into its fully or Lextremeretractedposition. This is accomplishedy -by a bumper 94 `which .is `vpivoted to the upright member vat 19.5 and-.is provided with a depending linger or :arm 96 at its free endv adapted to `be engaged 'by the ramming head 24. The 4bumper 94`is connected'to'the 'bar retaining lever 82 #by fa spring '9.1, whereby pressure of the ramming head against the bumper causesthe free end i of the lever .82 to `be .pulled downwardly. Whenthis occurs, the -latching member 18|, by reason :oi the lconnecting link '190, is also ymoved .downwardly'and `is .caused to latch the rider .assembly.

fAfsecond-spring 99 hasfone end attached to the bumper 94 and has its other vend attached to a 'xed point at |99. `vThisspring is normally under tension and causes the bumper to 'be urged upwardly against `-a stop IDI on the connecting l-ink :tojmaintainthe finger 96 ofthe bumper in the .pathof the rammingfhead 24. The spring .99, by urging the bumper :against the stop IIJI, tends to lift 'the connecting link -and the bar retaining lever 182 (whereby the free end of the lever 4B2 vis normally maintained in vits upper position .and in the .path of the ,bar 62. The spring 99 further servesto absorb the impact due to the ramming head striking the bumper, and prevents the damaging for .breaking of the :parts of the latchingmechanism-or the piston assembly.

rrIlhe :strengthof the .springs 91 and 9 9 is so adjusted that the latching member .8| must be placed into late-hing relation before the lever V82 ,can .release the slidable bar 62.` In this manner the .bar .6.2, through the connecting linkage, holds .the valve open -until the rider assembly .of .the charging mechanism is latched, whereby Athe valve is .closed .to permit the piston assembly to returnv only when .the charging mechanism lis latched. This prevents the rider from following the ramming head, ,in engaging relation, .during its return .or ,forward stroke. By delaying the unlatching until the piston assembly is returned, the charging mechanism is adapted to snap back with suflicient inertia to .put the gun into operation again.

In the normal operation of the kmachinegun the parts of 'the gun charger are in the set or unoperated position shownin Figure 2, and the charging mechanism and the rider assembly 25 attached thereto reciprocate -at a 'rate of about 4100to 1000 times per minute. The valve of the container |6 of pressure `medium is 'opened to enable A'the pressure medium to silow to the Avalve I8. Valve |18, however, is closed by the lever 45 havingits free end urged' 'downward by *the lever 50 and its spring 49, Awhereby the toe l47 of the lever 45 forces 'the 'stem v"4| inwardly to hold the -valvememrber 31 on its seat 3|.

*The piston assembly 22 is held in 'the cylinder 72| "of :the ram by v"the spring 23 Aand -the `ramming fhead 24is out of'c'ontaot Withithe rider assembly. Theslidab'le bar 62 is urged toward fthe right by the fbell :crank 66 `anftlits 'spring l5-and :the ypulley I |2'on .the ibell fcrank'is fin v'it-s 'lower position. 'The latching mechanism is held in ineffective posi tion by the springs 91 andy 99 whiclifthrough the connecting linkage hold Athe locking lugor projection 85 in its upper positionand the bar retaining lever 82 in' positionv to prevent movement of the bar 62.

In the event an emergency should occur, that is, should the charging. mechanism slow up materially or stop completely, a detecting mechanism actuates certain vdevices,including a switch adapted to close an electrical circuit for momentarily energizing the solenoid 51. The `detecting mechanism and its associated devices are not illustrated and described herein because they do not constitute a part of the present invention.

When the solenoid is energized (Figure V'3) the plunger 58 thereof is moved upwardly,v in opposition to its spring 59, and raises-the valve operating lever 45. As the lever 45 is raised, the'toe 41 moves away from lthe head 44r ofthe valve operating stem 4|, thereby permitting the pressure medium at the vvalve'inl'et 30 to unseat the valve member 31 and move the plug shaped portion 49 of the valve member against its seat 36 to close the exhaust port 35. Simultaneously, upon raising the lever 45,'the roller 52 on the lever' 59 rides oi the cam surface 54 and snaps into the notch 55, whereby the lever`45 is maintained in valve opening position under the influence of the lspring 49 attached to the l'ever50. This arrangement requires that the solenoid be energized only momentarily to raise the lever 45,` the plunger 56 thereof being returned by the spring 59.

When the valve'l has been permitted to open in the foregoing manner,`the pressure medium flows through the valve chamber and the tube or conduit 29, and enters the cylinder 2l of the ram in back of the-piston assembly 22 to move the piston assembly out of the cylinder, as shown in Figure 3, in opposition tothe spring 23. As

ythe :piston assembly is projected outwardly from the cylinder the track or ridge 1,4 ofthe assembly slides under the roller 12 fand raises it, whereby the bell crank 66 supporting the pulley is rocked and the upper arm 65 of the b e1l crank moves toward the left. The roller 69 on the arm then moves toward the left, in its slot and the spring 64, attached to the army 65 and to the slidable bar, 62, at 6|, is tensioned to lurge the bar 62 toward the left. However, sliding movement of the bar 62 is prevented by the roller 81 abutting the end 89 of the bar 62.

As thev piston assembly continues to moverout of its cylinder, the ramming rhead 24 travels in the path of the rider assembly, until, eventually, the ramming head locates and engages the rider assembly and moves ittoward its retracted position. The piston `assembly continues to retract the rider assemblyV and the charging mechanism, to which the rider assembly is connected, until these parts approach the position shown in Figure 4. As thev outward stroke of the piston assembly is about to be completed, the ramming head 24 strikes the bumper finger or arm A96 and moves it downwardly to tension the spring 91 which pulls the lever 82 downwardly. The lever 82 in turn moves the latching member. 8l downwardly by means of the-connecting link 90 so that, upon completion of the retracting stroke, the rider assembly has slid under the latching member and the latching projection 85 thereof is adapted to engage the latching projection 26 of the rider assembly to lock the rider assembly and the charging mechanism in retracted position. v

' When the lever 82 4is moved downwardly it moves the roller 81 at its free end out `of abutting vrelation-with the end 89 of the slidable bar 62, whereupon the bar is. released and the spring 64 moves the bar towardtliel left andv over the vroller 81 to hold down the lever 82. In the event the ramming head does not move the bumper properly to effect latching of the rider assembly,

the lever 82 restrains the bar 62. The valve then continues to be held open until the ramming head is properly 'driven against the bumper to effectl latching.

When the lever 62 is moved toward the left, the pinll strikes thelnger 60 of the valve operating lever v45 and moves the lever 45 downwardly to permit the roller 52 to ride out of the notch 55 and into engagement with the cam surface to again tend to hold the lever 45 in valve closing position. The' toe '41 now urges the valve operatingl stem inwardly to cause the valve member 31 to clbse the inlet of the valve and 'to open the outlet Vent'or exhaust port.

The pressure medium in the cylinder 22 is then adapted to be exhausted, and the spring 23 pulls the piston assembly forwardly with respect to the gunv or towards the right as indicated in the drawings, to return it toward its initial position. While the piston assembly is being returned, and as long as the pulley 12 is supported by the track 14, the bar B2 serves to hold down the lever 82 and maintain the member 8| in latching relation with the rider assembly. However, when the piston assembly approaches its initial position and track 14 has moved from under the pulley (Figure 2), the pulley 12 is free to move downwardly and the spring 15 is effective to rock the bell crank, whereby the upper arm 65 thereof moves toward the right. The roller 69 on the arm 65 now ridesl in the slot 1U toward theright and is effective to pull the bar 62 toward the right to release the lever 82. As this occurs the springs 91 and 99 operate the latching mechanism to cause the latching member 8| to release the rider assembly 24, whereby the spring H (Figure 1`) associated with the charging mechanism 9, is effective to snap the charging mechanism toward the right or into forward or firing position. Y

By first moving the piston assembly into its cylinder and out of the path of the rider assembly while the rider assembly remains latched, the spring l I imparts suicient momentum or inertia to the charging mechanism 9 in its forward travel to snap it forwardly to perform its charging' or gun loading functions. After the gun charger I2 has been operated in the foregoing manner, the gun is cleared and is adapted to operate normally until another emergency occurs. The cycle of operation of the gun charger is completed in a fraction of a second, whereby a minimum amount of time is required to return the machine gun to action. V l

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides a rapidly operating mechanism for improving the operation of machine gun charges and the like; The parts of the mechanism are simple in design and can be easily manufactured and assembled. The mechanism is rugged in construction and can readily withstand any rough usage to which it may be subjected.

While the present invention has been described in connection with a gun charger adapted to operate in an emergency t0 placethe gun intoV fir- Vving operation again, it will be understood that the gun charger may also be utilized to startzthe-` firing` operation of the' gun. Thus, in the forego-- ing description and in the appendedclaims, the term emergency is intended to*A include allv sitnations: arising in connection with the use of .thegun where it is desired to mechanically retract the charging mechanism by operation of they gun charger.A H

As various changes may be made in the form; construction and arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and Without sacrificing; any of its advantages, it is lto, be understood thatv all matter herein is -to bev interpreted as illustrative andv not in any limiting sense. j

It is. also to be understood that the following' claims are intended to cover all the generic andl specific features of the invention herein. de;- scribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said toI fall therebetween. We claim; 1 j 1.A In a gun charger fora machine gun having a. reciprocating member adapted toV be moved rearwardly by the recoil of the Vgun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring. means, the combination of: a pressure Operated ram adaptedto engage the reciprocating member and move it rearwardly; a pivotally mounted latching inger adapted to. be located adjacent the reciproca-ting membenwhen the reciprocating member is in rearward position and adapted to engage and retain-the reciprocating member in its rearward position; a pivotally mountedlever adjacent said latchingnger; a link pivotally connected to Vsaid lever and. to said. latchingfinger and/having a projection thereon; a bumper pivotally mounted intermediate Y said latching finger and said lever, saidbumper having a, portion engaging said projection and having a portion extending into the path of and adapted to be engagedA by said ram;

a spring for urging said bumper against said projection.;a,\ second spring connected to said bumper and sajidY lever arranged vto move said lever roinone: position to a second position when said ram: engagessaid bumper; a bar member for latclingsaid lever second position, said bar member having a slot therein; a bell crank pivotally mountedradjacentsaid ram, said bell crank having an arm arranged to be engaged by said when. operated to rock said bell crank, said bellcrank. having a second arm provided witha projection positioned insaid slot; aspring con- 'ne'cted to said. second bell crank arm and to said bar member forl moving said bar member into lever latching position; and a spring connected to saidfsecond bellrcrank armiior urging said rst bell,Y crank arm into the path of said ram and for eicting movement-,of said bar member to unlatch.` said lever when said rst bell crank arm is disengaged bysaid ram. n

.2L Inagun charger for a machine gun having .al recvziprocating member adapted to be moved rearwardly bythe recoil of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means,the combinationof: means adapted to engage the reciprocating member and-move ii; rearwardly; apivotallly, mounted la-tching nger adapted to be located adjacent the reciprocating member when thefreciprocating member is in rearward position afdfadapted to engage and retain the reciprocating memberl nits rearward position; a-pivotally.r mounted lever adjacent said' latching iingerg link pivotally connected.` to said lever-and vto;saidql-atchirignger. andfhaving'eaprojection thereon; a. bumper pivotally mounted. intermediate said latching finger and said lever, said bumper having a portion engaging said projection and having a portion extending-into the path of 'and' arranged to beAV engaged by said first means; a spring for urgingl said bumper against said projection; a secondspring comiected to said bumper and said lever arranged to move said leverlfrom one postionito a second position when saidl first means engages said bumper; a bar member for latching said lever invitssecond position@ said bar member having a slot therein, a bell crank pivotally mounted adjacent said rst means, said bell crank` having; an arm arranged to be engaged by said ram when operated to rock saidbell crank, Ysaid bell crank having4 a second armprovided with. a proj ectionpositioned in said recess,'means connected to saidfsecond bell crank arm and to saidbar. member for moving said bar member into lever latching position, and means connected to: saidsecond bell vcrank armY for urgingy said rst bell crank arm.V in to the path of said` rst meansandA for effecting -movement of saidI bar. member to unlatch said lever When said first bell crankarmis disengaged by saidY first means. d

, 3l In a gun. charger for a machine gun vhaving a reciprocating member adapted. to` be moved rearwardly by therecoil of the. gun and-'adapted to be moved.forwardlyI by springmeans, the combination of: means. adapted to engage the reci-procating member and move it rearwardly; al pivotally mounted latcliing. iinger adapted to engage and retain the reciprocating memberin itsrearwardV position; a bumper vpivotally mounted adjacentvsaid latclfiing fingerliaving a portion extending. into the pathv off and arranged. to be engaged by said rst means linkage means operatively connecting. said ybumper and said latching .40 nger; a bar member ffor latching said' linkage means, saidi bar member having a recess therein.; aloell crankipvotally mounted' adjacent said first means, saidv bell crank` liavingv an` arm arranged to be engaged by said'rst' means when operated to rock said'l bellfcrankg' said belll crank having. a second arm provided with a projection positioned in'said recess, a spring connected to saidisecond bell'` crank" armV andy to' said' bar member for moving saidibar member'into linkage means latching positionyand 'a spring connected to said second bell crank arm for urging said rst bell crank arm into the path'of saidirstmeansv and for effecting movement of said bar member to'unlatch said linkage'meanswhensaid rst bell crank arm is disengaged kby saidfirst means.

4a; In a gun charger for a machine'gun having 'a reciprocating member adapted to be moved rearwardlyby the recoilof the gun and adapted tobe moved forwardly by` spring means, the combination ofrme'ans adapted to engage the reciprocatingmernberarid-y move it rearwardly; a pivotally mounted-"latching finger adapted' to vvbe located adjacent the reciprocatingmemberj when the. reciprocating member is inrearward position and' adapted? to -engage-v` and retainy the recip- .rocating-:memberin its"rearwardposition; a pivotally mounted-lever adjacent saidj latching 1inger ai link pivotally connected to said lever` and to said latching linger and: having aprojection thereon; abumper pivotally mounted intertmediate said l'atching ringer andsaidllever, said bumper havin'gfa portion engaging said? projection -andhavingi aportion extending intoY the path of andr arranged to bei -engaged by said rst means; azspring for urging'said-bumper against said projection, a second spring connected to said bumper and said lever and being arranged to move said lever from one position to a second position when said first means engages said bumper; and a member operable by said irst means for latching said lever in its second position.

5. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating member adaptedV to be moved rearwardly by the recoil of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the combination of: means adapted to engage the reciprocating member and move it rearwardly, a latching nger adapted to engage and retain the reciprocating member in its rearward position; a bumper pivotally mounted adjacent said latching nnger and having a portion extending into the path of and arranged to be engaged by said i'lrst means; linkage means operatively connecting said bumper and said latching finger to render said latching finger effective for retaining the reciprocating member when said bumper is engaged by said first means; a member for latching said linkage means; and lever means operatively connected to said latching means and mounted adjacent said rst means and arranged to be engaged by said first means when operated to eifect latching of said linkage means by said member and to effect unlatching of said linkage means by said member when disengaged by said lst means.

6. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating member adapted to be moved rearwardly by the recoil of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the combination of: means adapted to engage the recip- ,35

rocating member and move it rearwardly; a latch'- ing member adapted to engage and retain the reciprocating member in its rearward position; a bumper member movably mounted adjacent said latching member and having a portion extending into the path of and arranged to be engaged by said rst means; linkage means operatively connecting said bumper member and said latching member; said bumper member, upon being engaged by said firstmeans, being arranged to effect positioning of said latching member to engage the reciprocating member; and means operable by said iirst means for latching said linkage means to cause said4 latching member to retain the reciprocating member in latched position.

l7. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating member adapted to be moved rearwardly by therecoil of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the combination of: means adapted to engage the reciprocating member and move it rearwardly; a latching member adapted to rengage and retain the reciprocating member in its rearward position; a bumper member movably mounted adjacent said latching member and mounted for movement independently of said rst means and having a portion `extending into the path of and arranged to be engaged by said rst means; and linkage means operatively connecting said bumper member and said latching member; said bumper member, upon being engaged by said rst means, being arranged to effect positioning of said latching member to engage the reciprocating member.

8. In a gun charger vfor a machine gun having a reciprocating member adapted` to be moved rearwardly by the recoil lofthe gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the combination of a pressure operated ram adaptedto `move the reciprocating memberV into its rearward ase/1,2334` position; mechanism for latching the reciprocat-` operate said ram; alever having one end pivotallyv mounted adjacent said valve for controlling the opening and closing of said valve, said lever having a cam surface anda notch adjacent said cam surface, and having a nger at its other end, a

pivotally mounted locking lever having a projection arranged to engage said cam surface and enter said notch; a spring connected to said locking lever for moving said projection against said cam surface and into said notch; means for rocking said first lever into valve opening position and to cause said projection to move into said notch to lock said rst lever in valve opening position; and means associated with said latching mechanism and operative, when said latching mechanism is effective to latch the reciprocating member, to engage said nnger and move said rst lever out of its locked position into valve closing position, whereby said spring moves said locking lever into a position to cause said projection to be moved out of said notch and moved into cam surface engaging position to maintain said rst lever in valve closing position. l

9. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating member adapted to be moved rearwardly by the recoil of the -guny and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the coinbination of a pressure operatedram adapted to move the reciprocating member into its rearward position; mechanism for latching the reciprocating member in its rearward-positioma valve for controlling the admission of pressure medium `to operate said ram; a lever having oneA end pivotally mounted adjacent said valve for controlling the opening and closing of said valve, said lever having a finger at its other end; means'for-moving -said;leverv intovalve opening position; a-

pivotally mounted locking lever arranged to engage and retain said rst lever in valve opening position and means associated with said latching mechanism operative whensaid latching mechanism is eifective to latch the-reciprocating member to engage said -n'ger-and move saidrst lever out of its retained position into valve closing position. Y 10. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating member adapted Ato be moved rearwardly by the recoil of the gun "and adapted `toV be moved forwardly by Yspring means, the 4combination of: a pressure operated ram adapted to *move the reciprocating memberinto its rearward position; mechanism for rlatching the re-` ciprocating member in sits rearward position; a Valve for controlling Vthe admission of pressure medium to operate said ram; a lever having one end pivotally mounted adjacent saidvalve for controlling the opening and closing of said valve, said lever having a finger" atv its other end; a pivotally mounted'locking lever arranged toengage said rst lever and retain it in valve opening position; and means associated with said 'latching mechanism operativer when said latching mechanism is eifective to latch the lreciprocating member, to engage said finger and move said iirst lever out of its retained position into valve vclosing position.Y

11. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a yreciprocating member adapted to lne-'moved rearwardly by the recoil of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the combination of a pressure operated ram adapted to move the reciprocating member into its rearward aisee-8e4 position; mechanism for latching the 'reciprocatingmember' in itsrearward position; aval've for controlling the admission ofpressure medium to operateesaid ram; a lever pivotally mounted vadjacent saidvalve for controlling the opening and closing' of" said valve; means for maintaining said l'evein valve opening position; and means associated'- with saidf latching mechanism operative, when said' latching mechanism is eiective to lat-cfr the reciprocating' member, torender said lastmentioned meansineiective and move said lever-into-valve closing position.

*112i* a gun charger for a machine gun having a: reciproca-ting member adapted to' be moved rearwardly-"by the recoilof the gun and adapted toebe moved-forwardly by spring means, the combination of: apressurel operated ram adapted to movethe-reciprocatin'gmember into its rearward position; mechanism for latching the reciprocating member inits rearward position in response to operation of said ram; a normally closed valve for controlling the admission of pressure medium to operate said ram; means for opening said valve and maintaining said valve in an open position to permit pressure medium to operate said ram; and means associated with said latching mechanism operative to render said last mentioned means ineffective in response to said latching mechanism being effective to latch the reciprocating member.

13. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating member adapted to be moved rearwardly by the recoil of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by a spring, the combination of: means adapted to move the reciprocating member into its rearward position; mechanism for latching the reciprocating member in its rearward position in response to operation of said rst means; means for controlling the operation of said first means said controlling means normally being ineiective; means for rendering and maintaining said controlling means effective; and means associated with said latching mechanism operative to render said controlling means ineffective in response to said latching mechanism being eiective to latch the reciprocating member.

14. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating member adapted to be moved rearwardly by the recoil of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the combination of: a pressure operated ram adapted to engage the reciprocating member and move it rearwardly; a pivotally mounted latching finger adapted to be located adjacent the reciprocating member when the reciprocating member is in rearward position and adapted to engage and retain the reciprocating member in its rearward position; a pivotally mounted lever adjacent said latching nger; a link pivotally connected to said leverv and to said latching finger and having a projection thereon; a bumper pivotally mounted intermediate said latching finger and said lever,

said bumper having a portion engaging said projection and having a portion extending into the path of and arranged to be engaged by said ram; a spring for urging said bumper against said projection; a second spring connected to said bumper and said lever and arranged to move said lever from one position to a second position when said ram engages said bumper; a bar member for latching said lever in its second position, said bar member having a slot therein; a bell crank pivotally mounted adjacent said ram, said bell crank having an arm arranged to be engaged by said ram-whew operated 'to rock said bell crank, said cranklraving :ai-second arm provided' with a projection 'positioned'. in-said slot;Y a Vspring connected tosaid secondlVbell-crank arm and to said bar memberfor moving said bar member into lever latching position; a spring connected to saidsecondibellicrank armv for urging said rst bell crank arm'intdthe path of said' ram and for effecting movement of =said bar' member toV unlatch said lever when lsaid-ifst' ,bell crank` i arm is disengaged` byf said" ram a valvel for' controlling the admission ot pressure medium to operate-said va leverv having one end pivotally mounted adacent'fsaidl'valve for controlling the opening and closing of said valve, said lever having a camsurface- 'and`` a notch 'adjacent said cam surface i andi having a finger at its other end; a pivotally mountedlbcking lever' having a pinA adapted to eng-'agesaid cam s-lirfac'eandsaid notch; a spring connected to said locking member for urging its pin against-said cam-surface-and' i'ntosaidl notch; means for rocking said valve controlling lever into valve opening position and to cause said pin to ride into said notch to lock said valve controlling lever in valve opening position; and a pin on said bar member arranged to engage said finger of said valve controlling lever to move said valve controlling lever into valve closing position.

15. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating member adapted to be moved rearwardly by the recoil of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the combination of: a pressure operated ram adapted to engage the reciprocating member and move it rearwardly; a pivotally mounted latching nger adapted to be located adjacent the reciprocating member when the reciprocating member is in rearward position and adapted to engage and retain the reciprocating member in its rearward position; a bumper pivotally mounted adjacent said latching finger and having a portion extending into the path of and arranged to be engaged by said ram; linkage means operatively connecting said bumper and said latching nger; a bar member for latching said linkage means; a member mounted adjacent said ram and arranged to be engaged by said ram when operated to control the movement of said bar member into linkage means latching position; spring means for moving said bar member to unlatch said linkage means when said last mentioned member is disengaged by said ram; a valve for controlling the admission of pressure medium to operate said ram; a lever having one end pivotally mounted adjacent said valve for controlling the opening and closing of said valve, a pivotally mounted locking lever for maintaining said valve controlling lever in valve opening position and means on said bar member arranged to render said Ylocking lever ineffective.

16. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating member adapted to be moved rearwardly by the recoil of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the combination of: a pressure operated ram adapted to engage the reciprocating member and move it rearwardly; a pivotally mounted latching nger adapted to be located adjacent the reciprocating member when the reciprocating member is in rearward position and adapted to engage and retain the reciprocating member in its rearward position; a bumper pivotally mounted adjacent said latching finger and having a portion extending into the path of and arranged to be engaged by vsaid ram; linkage means operatively connecting said bumper to said latching finger; said bumper, upon being engaged by said ram, vbeing arranged to eiect positioning of said latching nger to engage the reciprocating member; a member for latching said linkage means to maintain said latching finger in position to 'retain the reciprocating member in its rearward position; a valve for controlling the admission of pressure medium to operate said ram; means for controlling the opening and closing of said valve; means for maintaining said valve controlling means in valve opening position; and means associated with said latching member for rendering said last mentioned means ineffective. Y

17. In a gun charger for a machine gun having a reciprocating memberiadapted to be moved rearwardly by the recoil-of the gun and adapted to be moved forwardly by spring means, the combination of means adapted to engage the reciprocating member and move it rearwardly; a

latching finger adapted to engage and retain the reciprocating member in its rearward position; a bumper member movably mounted adjacent said Vlatching nger and having a portion extending into the path of and arranged to be engaged by said first means; linkage means operatively connectingl said bumper and said latchingr iinger; said bumper member, upon being engaged by said first means, being arranged to effectpositioning of said latching iinger to engage the reciprocating member;v` a member for latching said linkage means to maintain said latching finger in position vto retain the reciprocating member; means for controlling the operation of said rst means; means for maintaining said controlling means in operating position; and means associated with said latching member for rendering said last mentioned means ineffective.

HARRY C. GRANT, JR. WILLIAM A. V. THOMSEN. 

